How 5G and metaverse are opening up new possibilities for the edtech industry

With 5G networks introduced in India and the rapid evolution of metaverse, the sector has given a whole new dimension to the field of education. Along with accessibility of high-quality teaching and learning resources, the introduction of both 5G and metaverse will allow students to gain new skills. While the 5g networks will make immersive virtual experiences possible, the metaverse would make virtual education possibilities limitless through 3D learning models etc. While the internet opens up multiple possibilities for learning, the unfortunate truth is that there are still millions of students who don't have access to it.

In a chat with VARINDIA, Pankaj Agarwal, Founder & CEO – TagHive shares about the future of the Indian edtech industry with the introduction of 5G -

With the introduction of 5G and the popularity of the metaverse, what does the future of the already booming Indian edtech industry look like?

Pankaj Agarwal (PA): I think that every innovation like 5G and the Metaverse opens up more possibilities for every industry, and education is no different. With faster connections and immersive worlds, we can expect even more personalized learning, which is exactly what students need, but the challenges of infrastructure and access remain. The way I see it is that all this technology has to be contextualized to work in regions that can't usually access them. For example, while the internet opens up multiple possibilities for learning, the unfortunate truth is that there are still millions of students who don't have access to it, and these are the students that need the most attention.

5G and the Metaverse can be a great proof of concept of what's possible, but the next stage of evolution of these, or as a matter of fact any technologies, is to increase their access. We have to hold the balance between moving forward, and bringing people along simultaneously.

How is it going to revolutionize this sector with resources available with 5G features?

(PA): 5G will definitely boost the ability for on-the-go learning, enable more personalized experiences, and increase access to even richer multimedia. I'm excited about the future and look forward to innovating to bring these technologies to students who need access the most. We believe that education is the great equalizer, and technology plays a big part in that.
 

The edtech industry indeed played a very important role during the pandemic. In your opinion, can this sector benefit further from a little bit of intervention from the government in the form of sound policies?

(PA): Absolutely, policies play a huge role in the general direction and narrative of what the country's education ecosystem looks like. If there is an emphasis put on technology, it helps the entire system rally to a path and build innovations for access. The new National Education Policy 2020 is doing just that, it is both introducing new paradigms, as well as improving on previous developments. Because of the focus on technology, access, student voice, and assessments, it is much easier for organizations like ours to begin conversations and introduce innovations. This is of course an ongoing process, and as the understanding of what technology can enable in education increases, so will the ease of operation. The end goal is for schools in every single context to be able to use technology and truly see it as an enabler, not a disruptor.

Post-pandemic, do you feel the need for a hybrid model of the education system and how can 5G prove to be beneficial to lure more students to come and study online?

(PA): Hybrid learning is definitely the way to go in the future, but it doesn't necessarily mean an extension of the school, or that schools need to take classes for students at home. To us at TagHive, hybrid learning simply means that there is no boundary between the learning process. Students should have fun learning using technology and look forward to their time at home learning at their own pace, while teachers should be able to track and monitor that for a holistic view of their progress. 5G of course can enable this connection, and enable the experience of self-paced learning to be even more personalized.